Please don't fall over off your chair, as I know it has been ages since I have written. I can give you a million excuses and say that I will try to do better, but who am I kidding we all know I won't. This is not a New Year's resolution, this is strictly because I loved my experience so much last night that I am bursting at the seams to talk about it. Especially with someone other than David as he does not understand ballet. I didn't really expect him too so it is fine.
Okay, here I go!
For my Christmas present this year David took me to see The Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theatre. It was truly amazing to watch. I grew up taking ballet. I was not good and now after two children I am even worse. I have noticed over the years that my ankles have even become weaker. I didn't really know that was possible, but it is. At least for me. So I love the ballet. I told David when we moved to Moscow that one thing I want to see is The Nutcracker. Now let me tell you that if I really had my choice there are about three ballets on my top list and I would see one every weekend, but I had to narrow it down. These tickets aren't cheap. Also, the hubs isn't going to go to more than one. I don't need to push my luck.
The night started off with an early blue hair dinner. Russians of course would eat after, but I hate eating past 8 so 9:30 was out of the question. We walked down to the Bolshoi. It is not a far walk but it was snowing of course. Oh and I didn't have any panty hose on. Russian were staring. I know it was for having bare legs. The market for panty hose is here, even in the summer. Anyway, after we get there and I am numb from the waste down I realize mud has splashed everywhere so I rush to the bathroom to clean it up. No big deal but now I am in a panic to get into the show. No it has not started yet and the bell hasn't rung, but I am a little girl in pure excitement here. Oh and we had check our coats. Another couple of minutes. Ugh!!! Patience is not my virtue. I think David took his time at dinner just watch me be antsy (well that and the fact he didn't really want to go.) But hey he went so I am not complaining.
Now an experience in Russia is not one unless you describe what is going on around you. And there is always something around you that makes you question or laugh. The lady next to David took about a 100 selfies. Yes you read that right and I am not exaggerating. She kept taking them low like she was being discreet and then high where she was not. She would have her hand over her chin and then not like the picture and take another one exactly the same. Oh and the hair is all down and "mysteriously" in her face. These are not good selfies. She had to know it why else keep taking them. But then at intermission she gets up and she is a scantily dressed Russian. It is really not surprising at all but yet I am always shocked. Okay I'm really not.
The lady on my side was texting the whole time. This is not appropriate!!!! There is a reason they say to turn OFF your phones. It is not only the ringing but also the bright light. Come on people!
The lady behind me was clap heavy and loud at it. It is like she cups her hands just right so it echoes in the whole theatre. Now I know this is debatable I personally do not like clapping during a performance. I believe it is an interruption to the patrons and to the performers. Unless you are clear it is an end, DO NOT CLAP!!! But I realize not everybody agrees with this. So I will let it slide. Obviously the lady behind me did not agree with this. But yet she was the first to leave when the performance was over. I was expecting to plug my ears. :) Also, the Russians clap in a chant type way. If it is longer than a quick applause, they just keep going and then it is a rhythm. So after the whole performance this went on for quite a while by a few people and the main characters came out like 5 times for bows. I am pretty sure I know what they are thinking at this point.
So I must not leave out coat check. You have to wait in a long line to get your coat. Which is fine until you get the usual Russian that cuts in front and lays down her 3 tags plus for coats. Mind you David and I shared a tag. So I am not sure how many she was expecting to be loaded down with. Fortunately she came right as we were leaving, because I would have said something. It is usually a dirty look that turns into a stare and then a loud "Really!" 2 1/2 years ago I would have done nothing but Russia has changed me to be pushy like them. And I say really and stare because I don't know enough Russian to tell here what I really think. I should have learned that in my lessons. Oh well I digress.
Now the ballet was truly beautiful and the dancers were magnificent. The story is similar but different from the ones I have seen in the US. David didn't know the story at all. He couldn't understand why a little girl would dream about marrying her nutcracker doll. All I said was you are a man and really don't understand girls and their dreams. All girls have a fairytale dream. I guess that is why the Lord blessed me with two boys. Of course I don't understand them all the time. Soooo...
Okay I have rambled and have given you plenty of poor grammar today. I hope you enjoy this fleeting blog entry.
Okay, here I go!
For my Christmas present this year David took me to see The Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theatre. It was truly amazing to watch. I grew up taking ballet. I was not good and now after two children I am even worse. I have noticed over the years that my ankles have even become weaker. I didn't really know that was possible, but it is. At least for me. So I love the ballet. I told David when we moved to Moscow that one thing I want to see is The Nutcracker. Now let me tell you that if I really had my choice there are about three ballets on my top list and I would see one every weekend, but I had to narrow it down. These tickets aren't cheap. Also, the hubs isn't going to go to more than one. I don't need to push my luck.
The night started off with an early blue hair dinner. Russians of course would eat after, but I hate eating past 8 so 9:30 was out of the question. We walked down to the Bolshoi. It is not a far walk but it was snowing of course. Oh and I didn't have any panty hose on. Russian were staring. I know it was for having bare legs. The market for panty hose is here, even in the summer. Anyway, after we get there and I am numb from the waste down I realize mud has splashed everywhere so I rush to the bathroom to clean it up. No big deal but now I am in a panic to get into the show. No it has not started yet and the bell hasn't rung, but I am a little girl in pure excitement here. Oh and we had check our coats. Another couple of minutes. Ugh!!! Patience is not my virtue. I think David took his time at dinner just watch me be antsy (well that and the fact he didn't really want to go.) But hey he went so I am not complaining.
Now an experience in Russia is not one unless you describe what is going on around you. And there is always something around you that makes you question or laugh. The lady next to David took about a 100 selfies. Yes you read that right and I am not exaggerating. She kept taking them low like she was being discreet and then high where she was not. She would have her hand over her chin and then not like the picture and take another one exactly the same. Oh and the hair is all down and "mysteriously" in her face. These are not good selfies. She had to know it why else keep taking them. But then at intermission she gets up and she is a scantily dressed Russian. It is really not surprising at all but yet I am always shocked. Okay I'm really not.
The lady on my side was texting the whole time. This is not appropriate!!!! There is a reason they say to turn OFF your phones. It is not only the ringing but also the bright light. Come on people!
The lady behind me was clap heavy and loud at it. It is like she cups her hands just right so it echoes in the whole theatre. Now I know this is debatable I personally do not like clapping during a performance. I believe it is an interruption to the patrons and to the performers. Unless you are clear it is an end, DO NOT CLAP!!! But I realize not everybody agrees with this. So I will let it slide. Obviously the lady behind me did not agree with this. But yet she was the first to leave when the performance was over. I was expecting to plug my ears. :) Also, the Russians clap in a chant type way. If it is longer than a quick applause, they just keep going and then it is a rhythm. So after the whole performance this went on for quite a while by a few people and the main characters came out like 5 times for bows. I am pretty sure I know what they are thinking at this point.
So I must not leave out coat check. You have to wait in a long line to get your coat. Which is fine until you get the usual Russian that cuts in front and lays down her 3 tags plus for coats. Mind you David and I shared a tag. So I am not sure how many she was expecting to be loaded down with. Fortunately she came right as we were leaving, because I would have said something. It is usually a dirty look that turns into a stare and then a loud "Really!" 2 1/2 years ago I would have done nothing but Russia has changed me to be pushy like them. And I say really and stare because I don't know enough Russian to tell here what I really think. I should have learned that in my lessons. Oh well I digress.
Now the ballet was truly beautiful and the dancers were magnificent. The story is similar but different from the ones I have seen in the US. David didn't know the story at all. He couldn't understand why a little girl would dream about marrying her nutcracker doll. All I said was you are a man and really don't understand girls and their dreams. All girls have a fairytale dream. I guess that is why the Lord blessed me with two boys. Of course I don't understand them all the time. Soooo...
Okay I have rambled and have given you plenty of poor grammar today. I hope you enjoy this fleeting blog entry.
